Anna Bligh confirms it's not a done deal

Deputy Premier Anna Bligh confirmed at a meeting with representatives
of the Save Our Spit Alliance (SOSA) this week that the cruise liner
terminal proposed for the Gold Coast was not a done deal.

Steve Gration, Secretary of SOSA said " The Minister has assured us
that the media reports that the terminal will go ahead regardless of
the results of the environmental impact study (EIS) were not accurate
and that many studies were necessary before a final decision could be
made."

The Minister was also surprised to learn that SOSA had expert
advice that the simulation study upon which the original decision was
made to proceed to an EIS was made on inaccurate information and a
flawed methodology. She stated she would investigate this serious
situation.

Dive industry representative, Shona Pinkerton, stated, " I was
pleased to be able to explain in detail the devastating impact the
dredging and construction of the terminal will have on our business
sector. I made it clear that we could not understand why the Government
would jeopardise a thriving business sector which provides millions to
the Coast's tourism sector."

Lois Levy, representative for Gecko - Gold Coast and Hinterland
Environment Council, raised issues of severe degradation of the highly
diverse and healthy ecosystem of the Seaway and Broadwater for a cruise
terminal, which the figures indicated could not pay its way.

"The long-awaited meeting allowed the Deputy Premier to hear
directly from a large cross-section of community representatives," Ms
Levy said. "It was obvious Ms Bligh had not been made aware of
information we had already supplied to the state government, so the
meeting enabled us to enlighten her face-to-face."

"We are
hopeful the Deputy Premier now realizes the extent of the opposition to
the cruise ship terminal proposal, on so many levels - environmentally,
socially, economically and aesthetically - and will advise her
government accordingly," she said.

The issue of the newly appointed Board to oversee the project was
raised and the Minister was requested to provide more information about
the roles and responsibilities for the Board. The Minister promised to
follow this up in writing because of the legal issues involved.

Other issues raised included the need to retain all of the Spit
public open space for a growing population, the loss of surfing spots,
funding for the Federation Walk and the practices of the cruise
industry in ensuring that money spent on cruising stays with the
industry and provides limited benefits to the host community.

Ms Levy said the government also needs to seriously consider the
devastating impact of the massive infrastructure required for fuel
storage, water, sewage, and safety equipment should the terminal go
ahead.

"The government has also failed to make it clear that the
much-loved Marine Stadium of the Broadwater is highly likely to be lost
as well - families and individuals on boats will no longer be welcome,"
Ms Levy said.

Ms Levy made a plea on behalf of SOSA for the Government to support
the super yacht industry, away from public open space, as it did not
require massive dredging and would not be as environmentally damaging
as the terminal. Further talks will be sought and SOSA is still
requesting a meeting with the Premier on his return from holidays.

"We urge all residents of Queensland and in particular members of the
Gold Coast community to write to their State member of parliament to
oppose this proposal, before it is too late," she said.